A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights significant educational barriers faced by children in Mayotte, a French island territory in the Indian Ocean. The 73-page report, titled “Exceptional Failure: France’s Persistent Education Shortcomings in Mayotte,” reveals that many children are denied access to basic education, with existing facilities unable to meet their needs.
The HRW investigation, which included interviews with over 40 individuals—including children, parents, teachers, and government officials—found that local municipalities impose considerable obstacles to school enrollment. For those fortunate enough to attend, the conditions are dire. Schools are overcrowded and lack essential resources such as drinking water, sanitation, nutritious food, and safe learning environments.
The situation has been exacerbated by a severe shortage of classrooms and teachers, a challenge that has persisted for years. Schools often operate on alternating schedules, leading to many children receiving only partial education. This lack of basic necessities became even more pronounced following a cyclone in 2024, which caused extensive damage to homes, schools, and infrastructure.
According to a separate study by the University of Paris Nanterre in 2023, nearly 9 percent of children in Mayotte are not enrolled in school, despite French law mandating free education for children aged 3-16. Elvire Fondacci, a French advocacy officer at HRW, expressed her dismay at the findings:
“It is shocking that thousands of children in Mayotte are denied access to school, while those who do attend face substandard learning conditions. All children in Mayotte should be able to experience their right to education on an equal footing with children elsewhere in France.”
Efforts to address the educational crisis are underway. Libraries Without Borders has partnered with the French Red Cross to introduce a mobile media library to the island, which has attracted hundreds of young users, including refugees. The organization also employs “ideas boxes” to gather community input on educational challenges and potential solutions.
Education advocates emphasize the importance of improving educational access in Mayotte, citing a staggering 43 percent unemployment rate among youth aged 15 to 29. The Foundation of France, the country’s leading philanthropic network, is actively raising funds to support educational initiatives. Following the 2024 cyclone, the foundation garnered €43.6 million in donations, with €15.1 million already allocated to over 200 initiatives across the territory, including 73 focused specifically on education and youth development.
Mayotte, one of France’s 13 overseas territories, is the poorest region in the country, with more than 75 percent of its residents living below the poverty line. The ongoing educational challenges present a significant obstacle to social and economic stability, making it imperative that both local and national authorities take immediate action to rectify these shortcomings.
